The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has warned against misuse of airwaves to promote witchcraft. The Executive Director UCC, Mr Godfrey Mutabazi said the warning goes to the broadcasting, telecommunications, film and postal/courier services who host witchdoctors to promote witchcraft.
“The commission has noted with concern that various media houses usually host witch doctors/traditional doctors who engage in discussions that promote witchcraft practice,” Mutabazi said.
He further condemned some of people (witch doctors) who “concoct stories with the aim of confusing the listeners about their purported potential to create wealth or to cure several illnesses including HIV/AIDS.”
He noted that Section 305 of the Penal Code Act provides that any person who by false pretence ad with intent to defraud obtains from any person anything capable of being stolen, or induces any other person to deliver to any person anything capable of being stolen commits an offence and is on conviction liable to five years imprisonment.
The commission has directed all electronic media houses to stop forthwith running advertisements that promote witchcraft and similar misleading information.
“Failure to do so will attract penalties and /or sanctions in accordance to the law,” Mutabazi said.
Mr Mutabazi also referred to Section 2 of the Witchcraft Act (Cap 124) which prohibits the practice of witchcraft and a person who holds himself or herself out as a witch, whether on one or more occasions, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment.
